Forum: Let parents, as stakeholders in education system, help shape decisions
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Parents are described as key stakeholders in the Singapore education system. In practice, many experience something closer to one-way communication.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) speaks of parents as key partners, and there are genuine examples.
The recent anti-bullying framework, developed in conjunction with COMPASS and with inputs from over 2,000 parents, students and educators, reflects meaningful consultation.
But this is the exception rather than the norm.
Major school decisions, ranging from home-based learning schedules and programme adjustments to the use of personal learning devices and AI in classes, are typically conveyed through circulars on Parents Gateway after they have been finalised.
There is little consultation, and limited opportunities for any meaningful input.
Parent support groups, which should serve as natural feedback channels, often function as volunteer groups focusing primarily on the execution of activities rather than on strategic decisions.
Feedback forms are occasionally sent out, but responses usually disappear into a void. Often, no summary of feedback is shared and there is usually no indication of whether it is even considered, and if not, why.
Over time, when parents stop responding, it is not out of apathy but because they feel that their feedback doesn’t matter.
The controversy over centralised school canteen food at the beginning of 2026 is a case in point.
Had schools involved parents in the planning, vendor selection and tasting process earlier, much of the backlash could have been avoided.
Instead, complaints emerged on social media after implementation, by which point reversing the course was costly and far more difficult for all involved.
A stakeholder helps shape decisions. By that measure, many parents today are only deeply impacted and invested in the outcomes, but with limited ability to influence them.
Partnership is measured by whether parents have a hand on the steering wheel, not just a seat on the bus.
Heng Mui Cheng
